Buy 3 packages or rolls of Epson Signature Worthy and/ or Legacy media - including the popular Luster, Cold and Hot Press, Exhibition Fiber, most Epson canvases and all of the Legacy media - and get reimbursed for the cost the least expensive item via mail-in rebate. For complete details, please download the Epson rebate form for this promotion.

For a listing of eligible Epson Signature Worthy media, please click this link.

This offer is valid through January 31, 2019!

The Best and Worst Computer Warranty Support

12/23/2018

(Top)The Best: HP Omen support. We sold an HP Omen notebook that had a broken Omen Command software module that would crash at start up. HP support was relentless at fixing the problem - they immediately escalated the ticket to their engineering group, and had a very quick fix for the issue. Their follow-through and communication regarding this issue was the best - they were extremely responsive and completely dedicated to fixing this problem.

Thank you to the HP Omen Premier Customer Success Team.

The Worst: Lenovo Warranty Support - Depot Repair. We are handling a repair of a customer's ThinkPad 13.3 inch notebook. The machine was pristine - no scratches, perfect screen, etc., but it had a broken hinge - it was very clear from looking at the ThinkPad that it was a defective part - caused by opening and closing the notebook from normal use.

Problems:

-11/28: it's difficult to find the correct phone number to call, once you find it, be prepared to wait an hour on hold, and then be transferred 3 times (and remain on hold again and again) to get to the right department.

-11/30: once the notebook arrived at the repair depot, we were told that it was accidental damage even though it clearly wasn't, and we had to fight to resolve that problem.

-the case restarted on 12/6 after it was escalated for review by a Lenovo case manager.

-we tried repeatedly to email and call Lenovo to get the status of the repair without any results - no returned emails or returned phone calls. There is an online case update link that only responds with "Error Occurred" since 12/19.

-12/28: still no response from the Lenovo case manager, and the notebook is still sitting in the repair center with no activity, and our customer still does not have his computer (although we did give him a Dell loaner notebook).

Successes:

-12/28 later in the day: the Lenovo case manager approved the case as a no cost repair.

-12/29: the notebook was repaired and shipped back to us and is due to arrive at our location on 12/31.

-1/2/19: the repaired notebook was returned to our shop - a successful conclusion to this support case. Thank you Lenovo for completing this repair.

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Every year about this time, we have Epson wide-format printer users mentioning clogged heads.

The primary cause is a lack of humidity in the air — because winter heating systems dry the air to a point below optimum operating humidity. The specification for operating humidity for Epson SureColor and Stylus Pro printers is between 40 to 50 percent. In an environment with forced air heat, the humidity level can easily drop below 20 percent. A simple solution is to add a small portable humidifier in the room with your Epson printer. It will help to keep your printer running smoothly and it will provide a healthier environment, too.

Click here to see the humidifiers and related items that we offer (the Swiffer is in the list because the printers don't like dust, either).

Click this link for a listing of eligible printers. Offer is valid through January 31, 2019.

Fast and Affordable Desktop and Notebook PCs

08/20/2018

(Top)We've identified a few PC desktops and notebooks that provide the excellent performance at a reasonable price. They have either AMD Ryzen or Intel 8th generation processors. And they all have solid state drives that give an extra performance boost.

The base model desktop in this list is a small form factor computer - the Lenovo ThinkCentre M715 - it includes an AMD Ryzen 7-1700, with a CPU Benchmark rating of 13,813, 8GB of memory, a 256GB SSD and a 3 year warranty. It's currently priced at $1009.00.

A small form factor PC with an 8th generation Intel i7 processor is the HP EliteDesk 800 - that includes an Intel i7-8700, with a CPU Benchmark rating of 15,222, 16GB of memory, a 512GB SSD and a 3 year warranty. It's currently priced at $1,239.00.

A tower PC with an 8th generation Intel i7 is the Dell Optiplex 7060 - that includes an Intel i7-8700, with a CPU Benchmark rating of 15,222, 16GB of memory, a 256GB SSD and a 3 year warranty. It's currently priced at $1,239.00.

A tower PC with an 8th generation Intel i7 is the HP EliteDesk 800 - that includes an Intel i7-8700, with a CPU Benchmark rating of 15,222, 16GB of memory, a 512GB SSD and a 3 year warranty. It's currently priced at $1,269.00.

A new workstation class tower with lots of free bays and PCIe slots is the Lenovo ThinkStation P330 - that includes an Intel i7-8700, with a CPU Benchmark rating of 15,222, 16GB of memory, a 512GB SSD and a 3 year warranty. It's currently priced at $1,109.00.

A faster workstation class tower is the Lenovo ThinkStation P330 - that includes an Intel i7-8700K, with a CPU Benchmark rating of 15,974, 16GB of memory, a 512GB SSD and a 3 year warranty. It's currently priced at $1,109.00.

Lenovo ThinkPad E580 that includes an Intel i7-8550U, with a CPU Benchmark rating of 8,114, 8GB of memory, a 256GB SSD, a 15.6 inch 1920 x 1080 resolution display and a 1 year warranty. It's currently priced at $939.00

HP ProBook 450 G5 that includes an Intel i7-8550U, with a CPU Benchmark rating of 8,114, 8GB of memory, a 256GB SSD, a 15.6 inch 1920 x 1080 resolution display and a 1 year warranty. It's currently priced at $1,009.00

HP ZBook Mobile Workstation 15V G5 that includes an Intel i7-8750H, with a CPU Benchmark rating of 12,549, 8GB of memory, a 256GB SSD, a 15.6 inch 1920 x 1080 resolution display and a 1 year warranty. It's currently priced at $1,259.00

Dell Latitude 5590 that includes an Intel i7-8550U, with a CPU Benchmark rating of 9,175, 8GB of memory, a 256GB SSD, a 15.6 inch 1920 x 1080 resolution display and a 1 year warranty. It's currently priced at $1,319.00

HP ProBook 650 G5 that includes an Intel i7-8850H, with a CPU Benchmark rating of 13,293, 16GB of memory, a 256GB SSD, a 15.6 inch 1920 x 1080 resolution display and a 3 year warranty. It's currently priced at $1,589.00

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In 1996, Rose Stevens decided that she had had enough of her job as an insurance underwriter and that it was time for a career change. She started traveling to area craft fairs selling jigsaw puzzles out of a 10' X 10' tent. Since then Piece Time Puzzles, LLC has continued to grow in her brother-in-law’s barn on Route 4 in Northwood, New Hampshire.

After much discussion and planning, her husband, Mark, built a roller press so that they could manufacture their own line of puzzles, including Custom Puzzles from snapshots. Using Epson wide format printers to print the puzzles, the Piece Time Puzzles brand of custom puzzles began rolling off the press in the fall of 2005. Since then, Mark and Rose have been busy expanding the manufacturing end of the puzzle business by offering more sizes (up to 20 x 28 inches) and images. By working with local artists and photographers, Rose has been able to license hundreds of new puzzle images to the delight of puzzle-lovers all over the country.

What started as Rose’s hobby to relax after work has turned into a flourishing family business, even Maude, their standard poodle, enjoys coming to work in the morning. You can visit the shop and see for yourself how nifty puzzles can be. You can watch as puzzles are printed, mounted, cut and packaged or test your skills by trying the brainteasers that are on display. And, don’t forget to look at all of the jigsaw puzzles while you’re at Piece Time Puzzles!

Kenny Seeman is a long time customer at Tastar, moving from being a Heavy Metal musician, to working with very heavy metals, to doing the YouTube Heavy Metal Bar-B-Que Channel, that is flavored with a great dose of Pittsburghese. There's no better entertainment and enjoyment than barbecuing during a hot Pittsburgh summer.

As Kenny says on his channel:

"My channel,... just as the name says…. a mix of Heavy Metal... and Barbecue, the way I like it.

Heavy Metal…. LOUD and FAST!!!!! …..and Barbecue… LOW and SLOW!

This channel first started out with pictures. I just wanted to document the different techniques that I was using at a particular time. It has evolved into a video channel... and a channel that many people have taken the time to watch. This was intended solely for entertainment for me and a few of my friends, but we welcome anyone. All I'm doing is experimenting! I'm not saying…… do this…. or try this. I'm just saying ….This is what I'm having fun doing right now! There are plenty of channels out there that show you the proper and correct way to barbecue…… check them out! Me…I'm just doing My thing! HEAVY METAL STYLE!!!!!!!!!!"

He's an accomplished photojournalist - the credits on his website support this: "awards from organizations including Pictures of the Year International, Society of Professional Journalists, the National Press Photographers Association, National Headliners Awards, the Society for News Design, the Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar, the Northern Short Course, the Southern Short Course, the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, the Military Reporters and Editors Association, and the Western Pennsylvania Press Club. He was awarded Photographer of the Year by the News Photographer Association of Greater Pittsburgh four times and most recently was honored with the Keystone Press Awards 2016 Distinguished Visual Award from the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association."

And, his most recent adventure is the role that he had in creating a film about the importance of language in basic human survival. The film, created by Duolingo, a Pittsburgh, PA based organization that provides a free science-based language education platform, premiered its first film, "Something Like Home" on Tuesday, June 19, at Pittsburgh's Kelly Strayhorn Theater. The documentary explores the role and importance that language plays in the lives of refugees from Syria.

Mr. Merriman has done a lot with and for his profession. We wish him continued success.

Epson Partners with CIT Direct Capital

03/09/2018

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Epson America, a global leader in printing technology, and CIT Direct Capital, the national digital small business lending unit of CIT Group, announced a partnership to offer financing for commercial and digital print customers. This partnership will allow CIT Direct Capital to provide Epson customers a primary source of financing through a single point of contact. This will simplify Epson’s financing process by streamlining communication between equipment manufacturers, dealers and funding sources, creating a more straightforward customer experience.

“Epson strives to provide our customers with every avenue to success and provide support on all aspects of the purchase, from selecting the equipment, purchasing, maintenance, and warranty,” said Mark Mathews, vice president, Epson America, Inc. “Partnering with CIT Direct Capital provides the ability for Epson to offer a variety of acquisition methods to our customers, ensuring they can select the method that best fits their financial and business needs.”

(*First payment of $99 due in 30 days, followed by 5 additional $99 monthly payments. First full payment occurs in the seventh month and will include document fees. Total out-of-pocket cost of $594 in first 6 months. Offer available through June 30, 2018.)

Click this link to go to your CIT Direct Capital online application. Or, call us for more information.